Constructing a visible-light-excited Z-scheme heterojunction by engineering the directional N-C/Cu insertion layer: overcoming work function mismatches.

ABSTRACT: The construction of S-scheme heterojunctions is constrained by stringent work function (Φ) matching between oxidation and reduction photocatalysts, which limits material selection. Here, we present an innovative interfacial engineering strategy to overcome Φ-mismatched barriers by introducing a nitrogen-doped carbon (N-C) mediator and Cu nanoparticles at the WO₃/Cu₂O interface. Through a "post-deposition and pyrolysis" approach, we fabricated a tightly integrated Z-scheme WO₃/N-C/Cu/Cu₂O heterojunction, where the N-C layer and metallic Cu synergistically redirect photogenerated carrier recombination, preserving the high redox potentials of WO₃ (VB: +2.62 V) and Cu₂O (CB: -1.41 V). Femtosecond transient absorpti

SUBMITTER: Gao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502197 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature